In 2008 the total wind power generated by wind-based machines made up 1.3% of the total US power generated.
This would power the entire State of Colorado
Wind speed varies throughout the United States
A single megawatt can power about 250 homes
Usually cost between 2 and 7 cents per kilowatt hour
Generates between 17 and 39 times as much power as they consume.
Nuclear power generates 16 and coal generates 11
Wind energy in the US saves 6.7 million tons in avoided CO2 emissions
Uses kinetic energy to turn a turbine. The turbine turns a magnetic around a generator creating electricity.
Pros to Wind Energy
Renewable
Creates local Jobs for maintenance and upkeep
Possible through the use of offshore and land based wind energy to have 20% wind energy by 2030
Not as expensive as some people think. It is cheaper than coal if you count government subsidies, and not much more expensive without subsidies if used on a large scale.
Does not require cooling water and leaves no water pollution
No wastes, does not require fuel to mine transport or store
Problems with Wind energy
People protest the construction of wind turbines
Economically
they are expensive to construct
They are more expensive than conventional energy sources unless they are subsidized by the government
Socially
People complain that these wind turbines will ruin costal tourist locations along the upper east coast
It is somewhat unreliable. Wind currents are not guaranteed anywhere and most locations do not have enough wind to sustain wind energy.
Environment
Wind Turbines will impact plant and animal life above and below sea level
Impact of Birds -
Some birds die in large wind farms. However, not even close to the amount that die by landing on power lines or hitting cars. A migrating population through San Gorgonio Pass only 28 birds out of 69 million died.
THE BEAR MINIMUM
"Wind energy blows me away!"-Bear
In 2008 the total wind power generated by wind-based machines made up 1.3% of the total US power generated.
This would power the entire State of Colorado
Wind speed varies throughout the United States
A single megawatt can power about 250 homes
Usually cost between 2 and 7 cents per kilowatt hour
Generates between 17 and 39 times as much power as they consume.
- Nuclear power generates 16 and coal generates 11
Wind energy in the US saves 6.7 million tons in avoided CO2 emissionsUses kinetic energy to turn a turbine. The turbine turns a magnetic around a generator creating electricity.
Pros to Wind Energy
Problems with Wind energy
http://www.pawindenergynow.org/wind/facts.html
http://www.awea.org/publications/reports/AWEA-Annual-Wind-Report-2009.pdf
http://www.awea.org/faq/sagrillo/swbirds.html